Made with just three real-food ingredients, this Easy Vanilla Cashew Crème is the perfect addition to dairy-free desserts, brunch spreads or fruit platters.
Sweetened with pure maple syrup and flavoured with real vanilla powder, this sweet crème is delicious enough for dessert and clean enough for breakfast!
It's one of my favourite ways to whip up a sweet snack in a cinch. It goes with nearly everything from chocolate to fruit!
With a bold vanilla flavour, it makes a yummy dessert dip and a delicious sweet drizzle that goes great with crumbles, pies, pastries and even waffles, crêpes or pancakes.
Not to mention, it can add a dreamy, creamy layer to chia pudding, overnight oats or dairy-free dessert cups. It's also scrumptious topped on oatmeal and sweet breakfast bowls.
Is Sweet Cashew Crème Healthy?
While it shouldn't be overconsumed, this sweet cashew crème can be a healthier dairy-free alternative to heavily processed products.
Made with whole-food ingredients, it's maple-sweetened and flavoured with real vanilla. Plus, with a creamy cashew base, it's naturally thick and creamy with no need for binders or gums.
Health Benefits
Source of protein. Cashews are a good source of amino acids. Just 2 tablespoons of this sweet cashew crème can provide about 3 grams of protein.
Mineral-rich. Cashews and pure maple syrup are both rich in minerals, including potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Mood-boosting. Vanilla may have an uplifting effect on mood and a calming effect on the nervous system.
Dairy-free. This recipe is a great clean-eating option for those with dairy allergies.
Seasonal Benefits
Spring and summer are great seasons to use this sweet crème to make healthy, no-bake desserts or chilled breakfasts. It's also delicious served as a sweet dip for fresh fruits!
Autumn and winter are perfect times to drizzle this vanilla cème over warm desserts or hearty oatmeal.
How to Make Sweet Cashew Crème
Making maple-sweetened cashew crème with real vanilla is incredibly easy! It only requires three ingredients and takes just five minutes to make.
What You Will Need
Equipment
- Mixing bowl. To avoid a mess, I like to use a small mixing bowl. However, if it's large enough, you can also mix the ingredients right in the jar you will be storing your crème in.
- Spatula. I typically use a spatula to ensure I scrape every last bit from the sides while mixing.
- Measuring spoons and cups. Measuring the ingredients helps to avoid over- or under-sweetening.
Ingredients
- Plain cashew cream is the main ingredient in this recipe. Follow my step-by-step guide to make it first.
- Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that adds subtle caramel-like notes, B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
- Pure vanilla powder adds a bold vanilla flavour that's free of alcohol and sugar.
Step 1: Make Cashew Cream
First, you will need to make the cashew cream base. You can follow a detailed tutorial here.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
Add the plain cashew cream to a bowl. Then stir in the maple syrup and vanilla powder. Mix until well combined.
You can also use a blender to combine the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of sweetness and vanilla flavour.
If you are making the plain cashew cream base the same day and want to double this sweet crème recipe, you can add the vanilla and maple syrup straight into the blender with the cashews and fresh water.
And that's it! Your dairy-free sweet crème is ready to serve.
My Top Tips
- Make cashew cream ahead of time. I love having plain cashew cream or yogurt on hand to make this sweet crème in a cinch!
- Use homemade vanilla powder for the purest, boldest vanilla taste.
- Serve chilled for a delicious contrast on warm desserts and for cool, no-bake treats.
Substitutions & Variations
Cashew yogurt can be used as a base instead of the plain cashew cream for a tangier, probiotic-rich version.
Vanilla extract or a fresh vanilla bean can be used in place of vanilla powder. Use 2 teaspoons of extract or the seeds scraped from 1 to 2 pods.
Honey is another natural sweetener that can replace the maple syrup.
Use coconut milk instead of water when blending the cashew cream base for a richer, more decadent sweet crème.
Uses for Sweet Cashew Crème
This dairy-free crème is such a simple way to elevate snacks, desserts, breakfast and brunch. There are countless ways to use it, but here are some of my favourites.
Dessert dip. Perfect for fruit platters, snack boards, and dessert charcuterie boards, this vanilla cashew crème makes the most delicious sweet dip.
Dairy-free Cool Whip substitute. This vanilla sweet crème is a delicious dairy-free alternative to Cool Whip or heavy whipping cream for no-bake desserts like peaches and cream.
Drizzle or topping. From breakfast to dessert, this sweet crème can be drizzled over nearly everything! It's delicious topped on oatmeal, breakfast bowls, pancakes, waffles and cèpes. It's also the perfect topping for crumbles, pies, stewed fruits, pastries and chocolate desserts.
Creamy filling. This sweet cashew crème makes a yummy dairy-free filling for no-bake desserts and can add a creamy layer to chilled breakfasts and snacks like overnight oats and chia pudding.
Storing & Saving
This vanilla cashew sweet crème is best consumed within 1 to 2 days, especially if the plain cashew cream was made a day or two in advance.
It may last up to 3 days if it is sealed in an airtight container and kept refrigerated. It's normal for some liquid to separate. However, if it smells off or if you see any green or pink colours forming, toss it.
I like storing it in a glass container to maintain freshness and flavour. Plastic can leach unwanted toxins and alter the taste.
FAQs
Yes! Honey is a natural sweetener you can use in place of maple syrup. Coconut sugar is another minimally refined option.
However, for the smoothest texture, I recommend using a blender when using either of these substitutions. Honey is slightly thicker than maple syrup, and coconut sugar can leave a gritty texture when simply stirring it in.
Yes! This recipe is cashew-based, maple syrup-sweetened and flavoured with pure vanilla, making it dairy-free and vegan.
Yes! This sweet crème contains zero gluten or grains.
You can freeze this sweet cashew crème. However, it can alter the texture, so I recommend enjoying it fresh.
There's a bit too much water content for it to become a smooth and soft ice cream texture. So, if you do freeze it, it's best to thaw it in the fridge overnight before consuming.
If properly sealed, it can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Recipe Highlights
Easy to make. With just three simple ingredients, this recipe can be made in less than five minutes!
Dairy-free. Made with a creamy cashew base, this sweet crème is dairy-free and vegan-friendly!
Real food ingredients. Made with pure maple syrup, real vanilla powder and homemade cashew cream, this recipe is free of strange, ultra-processed ingredients.
Easy Vanilla Cashew Sweet Crème
Print RecipeEquipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain cashew cream
- 3 tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Powder
Instructions
- First, you will need to make the cashew cream base. You can follow a detailed tutorial here.
- Add the plain cashew cream to a bowl. Then stir in the maple syrup and vanilla powder. Mix until well combined.You can also use a blender to combine the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of sweetness and vanilla flavour.If you are making the plain cashew cream base the same day and want to double this sweet crème recipe, you can add the vanilla and maple syrup straight into the blender with the cashews and fresh water. And that's it! Your dairy-free sweet crème is ready to serve.
Notes
- Cashew yogurt can be used as a base instead of the plain cashew cream for a tangier, probiotic-rich version.
- Vanilla extract or a fresh vanilla bean can be used in place of vanilla powder. Use 1 teaspoon of extract or the seeds scraped from 1 vanilla pod.
- Honey is another natural sweetener that can replace the maple syrup.
- Use coconut milk instead of water when blending the cashew cream base for a richer, more decadent sweet crème.
- Make cashew cream ahead of time. I love having plain cashew cream or yogurt on hand to make this sweet crème in a cinch!
- Use homemade vanilla powder for the purest, boldest vanilla taste.
- Serve chilled for a delicious contrast on warm desserts and for cool, no-bake treats.
Nutrition
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute, nor should it replace, individual clinical advice or professional diagnosis and treatment. Please see my full disclaimer here.
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